I am a psychologist and researcher specialising in resilience, workplace mental health, and human performance. I was awarded my PhD in Psychology from The Australian National University in 2010 and am a member of the Australian Psychological Society and an academic member of the Australian College of Organisational Psychologists.

Following my PhD, I worked within the Commonwealth Department of Defence as a full-time Project Manager in the Directorate of Strategic and Operational Mental Health. This experience helped shape my ongoing interest in how individuals and organisations can build and sustain resilience in demanding and high-risk environments.

Since joining Macquarie University in 2011, my research has focused on understanding the mechanisms that enable people to develop and refine their capacity for resilience across the life course. I have particular interests in military and first responder populations, as well as emerging adults aged 18–25. A key focus of my work is translating research into practical, evidence-based approaches that help individuals and teams adapt effectively to challenge, stress and change.

I also work with organisations to create mentally healthy workplaces by identifying the organisational, job and team factors that support resilience, wellbeing and sustainable performance.

Within Macquarie University’s School of Psychological Sciences, I lead the Resilience Research and Training Systems Team and serve as Director of the Macquarie University Performance and Expertise Research Centre, where I contribute to interdisciplinary research focused on enhancing and future-proofing human performance, expertise and resilience.

I have established independent research capitalising on my expertise in occupational resilience. I have integrated a number of theoretical approaches to guide a program of applied research. My research, though diverse in context and participant groups, is guided by the aim of understanding resilience in the occupational domain and the impact on work performance. To date, my research has been focused on making a contribution to the conceptualisation and development of human resilience. This is most clearly evidenced in my work in driving the development and implementation of the resilience training for the Australian Defence Force and other large private and public corporations.

My research focuses on providing an answer to the question: How can we strengthen resilience in response to adversity? Although, accumulating research is demonstrating that moderate levels of adversity in one’s life can strengthen resilience the mechanism for this is yet to be identified. My recent theoretical work and research is beginning to support the idea that specific reflective practices can help to enhance the strengthening of resilience. This insight has led to the development of a unique resilience training package that focuses on enhancing coping and emotion regulatory self-reflection, rather than teaching specific cognitive-behavioural coping skills, which has historically been the approach.

I teach three units on the Organisational Psychology Master Program: 

1. Coaching and Positive Psychology
2. Counselling and Mental Health in Organisations
3. Applied Human Resource Management

TEACHING AWARDS

2013: Dr Monique Crane (2013). Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

2016: Associate Professor Barbara Griffin, Dr Ben Searle, Dr Monique Crane, Linda Yeomans and Professor Mark Wiggins (2016) Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning.

2016: Associate Professor Barbara Griffin, Dr Ben Searle, Dr Monique Crane, Linda Yeomans and Professor Mark Wiggins (2016) Faculty Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning

KEYNOTES AND INVITED TALKS

1. Crane, M.F., (2024). Invited speaker University of Western Australia Buiness School. State of the Science: Resilience Theory and Theory Informed Interventions. Perth, WA: 3^rd April, 2024.
2. Crane, M.F., (2024). Invited speaker Institute for Social Neuroscience. Systematic Coping Self-Reflection: Understanding the Development of Capacities for Resilience Across the Lifespan. Melbourne, Vic: 16^th May, 2024.
3. Crane, M.F., (2023). Invited speaker Future of Work Institute. Exploring the Complexity of Demands, Resources and Self-regulation in the Navy Context. Perth, WA: 19^th Sept, 2023.
4. Crane, M.F., (2020). Invited keynote at International Congress for Arts and Sciences (ICAS), September 30th 2020, Cebu University, Philippines (online).
5. Crane, M.F., (2020) Training Enhancement and Military PERformance (TEMPER) workshop at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Canberra, ACT: 13–14 February 2020.
6. Crane, M.F., (2018) What is the foundation of evidence and what are next steps in building resilience in people and organisations? Warrior Care Conference. Sydney, NSW: 16th-18th October, 2018.
7. Crane, M.F. (2018) Strengthening resilience in Military Officer Cadets: A group-randomised controlled trial of coping and emotion regulatory self-reflection training. ADF Resilience Forum. Canberra, ACT: 21-22nd June.
8. Crane, M.F. (2017) Invited to chair and facilitate panel discussions at the Workplace Health and Wellbeing Summit. The summit brings together organisational representatives (e.g., ANZ, Optus, BeyondBlue, SafeWork NSW, Westpac) with an interest in occupational health and wellbeing.
9. Crane, M.F. (2016). ‘It’s all part of a day’s work’: the moderating role of professional identification on acceptance coping. Invited seminar. at University of South Australia: November, 2016.
10. Crane, M.F., Phillips, J. & Karin, E. (2015). Understanding the challenges to mental health and resilience in the Australian veterinary profession. Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, Brisbane, 24th- 29th May, 2015.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS

1. Crane, M.F., Karin, E., Gucciardi, D.F., Rigotti, T., Kalisch, T., Hazel, G., Connor, CMDR Roz, & White, N., (2024). A Multisystems Approach to Demand and Resilience Resource Profiles within the At-Sea Deployment Setting. Defence Science and Technology Group. This work was supported by The Human Performance Research Network (HPRnet) funding scheme from the Defence Science and Technology Group, Australia (ID9040).
2. Crane, M.F., Karin, E., Galloway, C., Sherwood, S., Sergeant, G., Potter, B., Wilkes, J., Gucciardi, D.F. (2022). Implementation of the Integrated Self-Reflection Training Program at Rifle Company Butterworth: Replication Evaluation. Department of Defence – 2nd/30th Training Group, a direct command unit of Headquarters 1st Division.
3. Crane, M.F., Karin, E., Porter, L., Kho, M., Rooney, P., Galloway, C., Gucciardi, D.F. (2021). Implementation of the Integrated Self-Reflection Training Program at Rifle Company Butterworth. Department of Defence – 2/30 Training Group, a direct command unit of Headquarters 1st Division.
4. Crane, M.F., Dell, L., Fredrickson, J., Alkemade, N., Lewis, V., O'Donnell, M.L., & Forbes, D. (2016). The Longitudinal Australian Defence Force Study Evaluating Resilience - Detailed Report 3: Exploring Social Support in the Initial Years of Military Service. Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Defence. Phoenix Australia: Melbourne.
5. Lewis, V., Borland, R., Alkemade, N., Lau, W., Terhaag, S., Crane, M.F., Phelps, A., Dell, L., & Forbes, D. (2015). The Longitudinal Australian Defence Force (ADF) Study Evaluating Resilience - Detailed Report 2: Alcohol and Tobacco Use, Coping, and Mental Health. Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Defence. Phoenix Australia: Melbourne.
6. O'Donnell, M.L., Lau, W., Alkemade, N., Lewis, V., Crane, M.F., Phelps, A., Dell, L., & Forbes, D. (2015). The Longitudinal Australian Defence Force Study Evaluating Resilience - Detailed Report 1: Prior Trauma Exposure and Mental Health. Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Defence. Phoenix Australia: Melbourne.
7. Crane, M.F., Lewis, V., Forbes, D. & Elliot, P. (2013). JHC Technical Report. LASER-Resilience: Contributors to Change Following Training Report. Joint Health Command Technical Brief, Canberra, Australia.
8. Crane, M.F., Lewis, V. & Elliot, P. (2012) LASER-Resilience Technical Report- Pre-post basic training comparisons on mental health and wellbeing dimensions. Joint Health Command Technical Brief, Canberra, Australia.
9. Crane, M. F., Lewis, V., & Kehoe, J. (2012). LASER-Resilience Technical Report - Wave One. Joint Health Command Technical Brief, Canberra, Australia.
10. Crane, M. F. (2011). Examination of ADF Culture: The Experience of Service Women and Drinking Behaviour during the Initial 3-12 Months of Service. Joint Health Command Technical Brief, Canberra, Australia.
11. Crane, M. F. (2010a). Mental Health after Transition: Ex ADF Personnel Three Months after Transition. Joint Health Command Technical Brief, Canberra, Australia.
12. Crane M. F. (2010b). Evaluation of the BattleSMART program. Joint Health Command Technical Brief, Canberra, Australia.

INVITED NEWS ARTICLES

1. 2017: Article for The Ladders online management and leadership news ‘4 ways top leaders can build resilience in their teams’.
2. 2016: Contribution to a cookbook for wellbeing aimed at veterinarians to promote awareness about veterinarian mental health (edited by: Anne Fawcett).

RADIO INTERVIEWS

Managing for Resilience - a guide for managers who want to support the resilience of their employees

The imposter phenomena - an insight into the imposter phenomena 

AWARDS AND PRIZES

1. 2023: Awarded the Defence Science and Technology prize for best paper. Exploring the Complexity of Demands, Resources and Self-regulation in the Navy Context: A Focus on Retention. Defence Human Science Symposium, Brisbane, Queensland University of Technology.
2. 2018: Department of Psychology prize for translating research into practice.
3. 2016: Associate Professor Barbara Griffin, Dr Ben Searle, Dr Monique Crane, Linda Yeomans and Professor Mark Wiggins (2016) Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning.
4. 2016: Associate Professor Barbara Griffin, Dr Ben Searle, Dr Monique Crane, Linda Yeomans and Professor Mark Wiggins (2016) Faculty Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning
5. 2015: My work on the impact of normal-range emotions on anaesthetist diagnostic skill won the prize for best research at the SimHealth Conference.
6. 2013: Dr Monique Crane (2013). Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.
7. 2010: Awarded the Defence Science and Technology prize for best research for my work in military resilience.

EMPLOYEE RESILIENCE SUPPORT

Founder of Resilience Research and Training Systems (www.occupationalresilience.com.au) to facilitate engagement with the broader community. As part of this out-reach program, I work with organisations to help them foster resilience within their workplaces using evidence-based interventions.

1. Completed 2023: Kirsten Bucknell, Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment.
2. Completed 2022: Madison Kho, Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment.
3. Completed 2022: Danny Boga, Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor, part-time enrolment.
4. Completed 2021: Samantha Falon, Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor.
5. Completed 2019: Kirsten Bucknell, Masters of Research. Principle supervisor.
6. 2024-current: Lucy Chappel, , Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment.
7. 2023-current: Seth Coetzee, Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment.
8. 2022-current: Jasmine Bhatia, Doctor of Philosophy (psychology). Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment.
9. Completed 2016: Lynne Cruickshank, Professional Doctoriate Degree. Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment.
10. Completed 2015: Phoebe Stoddart, Professional Doctoriate Degree. Principle supervisor, full-time enrolment

RESEARCH AWARDS AND PRIZES

1. 2023: Awarded the Defence Science and Technology prize for best paper. Exploring the Complexity of Demands, Resources and Self-regulation in the Navy Context: A Focus on Retention. Defence Human Science Symposium, Brisbane, Queensland University of Technology.
2. 2018: Department of Psychology prize for translating research into practice.
3. 2015: My work on the impact of normal-range emotions on anaesthetist diagnostic skill won the prize for best research at the SimHealth Conference.
4. 2010: Awarded the Defence Science and Technology prize for best research for my work in military resilience.